No Heat in Downstairs Radiators/8 mnth old Combi Boiler

Lizbetty

@Bendy_House thank so much for taking the time with that, we really appreciate it. I feel a bit more armed!

Looking again at what Ideal said, it was quite vague and non committal  actually! 

The plumber did say he'd charge £60 to look at the filter tomorrow too you know, so I can see why he didn't show us how to do it! I'm wondering if this is why he said call him directly and not Ideal with any problems after fitting. I really hope he doesn't do unnecessary chargeable things if it is a boiler fault which would be covered under warranty 🤔 I'll have to watch for that.

I am terribly cynical, I wish I wasn't. We've had some problems with tradespeople before so I'm a bit that way inclined unfortunately. This is why I always try and suss out what it could be before they arrive, but it's a lot to try and know sometimes when my head is just panicking over it all. 

Bendy_House

Not cynical at all - you have plenty reason to wonder what the heck is going on.

For instance, I've just seen the transcript of your conversation with Ideal (it wasn't there the first time I looked!). The second point made was 'A filter is optional'. Ok, look at the second point Adey makes re BSwhatsit - 'A filter must be fitted to all systems...'

Who is right? Surely Adey.

Anyhoo, let us know what he finds. I'll repeat - if this issue IS down to sludge, then you should NOT be liable.

plumb1_2

Conversation Time 11:01:16. Is wrong

Lizbetty

plumb1_2 said:

Conversation Time 11:01:16. Is wrong

One bit in particular? Or all of it?  

rob7475

Lucyeff said:

plumb1_2 said:

Conversation Time 11:01:16. Is wrong

One bit in particular? Or all of it?  

While the boiler's under warranty, I would expect the manufacturer to arrange any repairs. You may need a gas engineer to diagnose the fault if there's an argument over whether the fault lies with the boiler or elsewhere but if the fault turns out to be with the boiler, I'd expect Ideal to send an engineer out to repair it

Bendy_House

If the fault lies within the boiler, as a result of a 'boiler' fault, then - yes - it should be fully covered by the manufacturer's warranty.

If the fault is caused by sludge (and we don't know if it is), then it's an installation error. Or, more precisely, the installer hasn't followed the correct guidelines. Ergo they are liable.

In my book, at least.

Lizbetty

I have an update.

I can't flipping BELIEVE IT. 

Our old fitter has been on asking for photos of the boiler, and the valves after we asked him what he thought. He said it sounded like sludge but could also be a valve turned the wrong way. 

We do not know who but, someone in our house (noone is admitting it) had twisted/possibly caught a valve and left it in the wrong position. Our old fitter drew us a diagram via whatsapp of how they should be and I almost passed out when the boiler fired up properly after I did it. (Yes I know. Honestly.)

So we have let the other fitter know he doesn't need to bill us £260 as it was that.

There has been a ton of misinformation from Ideal though which has been a real concern, disappointing that the other fitter didn't suggest we check the valves initially but that's not his fault I suppose. We're just lucky that our old fitter is so on the ball. So now our old fitter is back to being our regular one again! We only swapped to get the extra 2 years warranty which I am really regretting at the moment! 

Lots of lessons learned anyway.

Thanks to all of you for bearing with me while I almost have a breakdown over the internets. I will be remembering every single bit of advice and I really appreciate all of it!  

(We're dropping a crate of beer off for our favourite fitter later!) 

Happy ending! Bonus is that the kids were forced to tidy their rooms for the man coming today so that's great as well I think I might actually sleep properly tonight! 

Bendy_House

Blimey! I didn't expect that!
Would you mind posting a pic of the offending valve, please? Dead curious about it

Lizbetty

Bendy_House said:

Blimey! I didn't expect that!
Would you mind posting a pic of the offending valve, please? Dead curious about it

Yes of course! It's really hard to get a pic so I've drawn an arrow to show where it is, it's a black valve behind the blue one. We keep the sandwich toaster and all sorts on a shelf just under the boiler, whether a wire has caught it, I just don't know. I haven't studied it much since it started working again, I can't look at it for long at the moment. I'm still recovering 😃 No idea why the heating was acting as it was because of it. 

Thanks for being a calming voice of reason by the way, @Bendy_House! It's really much appreciated. 

Lizbetty

I'm not sure if that worked, one sec...that's better!